1977 Baja on the cheap

[cradaydg]

I found a 1977 Baja with a Mercury 1750 on the back. Never owned a boat before, but the guy only wants $300 for the whole shmear with a trailer and titles. I'm kinda thinking about getting it for a project, but the thing is nearly as old as I am and I know pretty much nothing about boats or outboard engines. He said the engine does fire on starter fluid. So tell me it's a lost cause so I can stop thinking about it or say hey, it's worth a shot. I'm not afraid to tear things apart and wonder how to put them back together again.

 

[zool]

Welcome to Iboats Resto forum

Kinda depends on the model ur looking at. If its the ski boat (runabout), it is a sistership to my checkmate, and there little wood under the small deck inthe center of the hull, so maybe only one center stringer, and a 2 foot wide deck, and wooden transom. Not a real lot of glass work. The cap deck is cored tho, so if its soft, thats a bit more of a pain.

Ski model


If its the bow rider, then there is a substantial more amount of wood for the front seat framing, ect.



as for the motor, jsut because it fires on spray, doesnt mean it has even compression, only a compression test will tell if the power head is good.

 

[briangcc]

WAG....if the outboard fires on starter fluid, with parts it'll run with gasoline. So....that's a positive.

How itchy do you want to get as from the sounds of things this is a full gut and rebuild? Got the space to work in? The several $$$$ that it will take in materials and supplies to rebuild? Then by all means go for it.

Yeah I'm horrible.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I found a 1977 Baja with a Mercury 1750 on the back. Never owned a boat before, but the guy only wants $300 for the whole shmear with a trailer and titles. I'm kinda thinking about getting it for a project, but the thing is nearly as old as I am and I know pretty much nothing about boats or outboard engines. He said the engine does fire on starter fluid. So tell me it's a lost cause so I can stop thinking about it or say hey, it's worth a shot. I'm not afraid to tear things apart and wonder how to put them back together again.

FIRST, Welcome aboard

Second, the motor and trailer may be worth the $300. they may not

however you must assume that you will need to invest $3000 into the boat hull to make it seaworthy unless by chance you find a boat never exposed to moisture.

remember, under the shiny and glittery fiberglass exterior was wood structure. the wood probably has long rotted.

so if you want a project, any fiberglass boat over 15 years old or under $5000 is a project boat that must be fixed before being used.

 

[cradaydg]

 

[cradaydg]

A small video

 

[airshot]

The most expensive boat a person will ever own is the boat he gets for free !!! ( or almost free). Unless you have deep pockets, run away.

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

The most expensive boat a person will ever own is the boat he gets for free !!!

Lol it is true!

 

[mickyryan]

if its the exact boat you want go for it, if not save your money for that, because after putting 6g into a boat you only bought cause it was cheap it will suck not to really like it.

 

[stresspoint]

buy it , get it running , take it to the lake and have fun for a day with the family , 300 skins for a day at the lake ,
it might be a solid boat , it may not , choice is yours to throw some $ at it or get rid of it .

FWIW , iv seen boats with most of the wood rotted out of them run up and down the river all summer and the owners having a ball..

the old merks are a solid old clunker , simple and reliable , may need a carb refurb a wiring check and a set of plugs but she will run .

 

[jimmbo]

That Starting Fluid certainly didn't do the engine any damn Good. I guess you could buy it, and might get a bit more for it by Parting it out. It is 46 yrs old, and will probably new all new Wiring on the Engine, and a new Wiring Harness. Compression is unknown...
I suspect the Transom is Rotten/Rotting as evidenced by the Metal Plate sandwiched between it and the Motor. If the Transom is rotten, the Stringers and Floor aren't far behind it.
If you take on the Restoration, you will likely spend upwards of 8-9 grand, and will end up with a boat worth far less, even if fully restored

 

[Scott Danforth]

View attachment 372809

add $1500 to my estimate if you want to make the metal flake shiney.

the plate on the transom means the transom is rotten

 

[Chris1956]

That motor has a lousy prop on it. Unusual for a performance boat. I cannot tell if it has power trim. If not, it will not be a performance boat.

Is the floor soft? If so, that indicates it needs replacement, and perhaps the stringers as well. Also check the transom for delamination and soft spots.

Performance boats take quite a beating. They were built real strong when they were new.

It will be unusual for any shop to repair that motor. You are likely on your own with that. usual tune-up and maintenance parts are available. Anything outside of that will need to be sourced on flea-bay or salvage yards